Now, I know I brandish this "chemo-brain" excuse around for anything dippy I do. But, it is a real phenomenon I can tell you. My brain is not what it used to be and is a constant source of amusement (or is that exasperation) to James ;-D
Mainly is exhibits itself as an inability to make decisions, forgetfulness and delayed processing responses (i.e I should have a windows hour-glass timer above my head to indicate processing and thinking in response to a question).
Decision making - oh boy - this is what I struggle with most. I can't make decisions... my main one is trying to decide whether I want a cup of tea or coffee for example, I dither between the two before finally plumping for one, only when it finally comes realising I thought I had chosen the other option. Give me a choice of coffee's on top of this and I am sent into overdrive! Don't expect this decision to be a quick one.
Forgetfulness - what was I talking about, oh yes, chemo brain induced forgetfulness. I think I only need to detail one such example to illustrate this point. I went for our weekly shop last week with Normal T-bags at the top of the list. However, when I got to the supermarket I got so engrossed in choosing some other exciting T-bags to try out as my taste for milky tea has really changed during chemo.. So I came home with a total of 220 T-bags in 5 different varieties (assam, earl grey, green tea, herbal teas, decaf tea). However, what had I not bought- NORMAL bloomin' T BAGS!
Delayed processing time. The above weekly shop now is extended by about an hour to allow for me to stand in front of each thing I am attempting to buy, make a decision over which variety/flavour/cheapest option to buy, and then plumping for the one I want. In terms of me following conversations, if you get me when I am tired then sentences need to be entered into the Dawn's chemo brain processor, interpreted and then my brain has to attempt to string together a cohesive sentence in response (which it often fails) - so don't expect quick-fire conversation with me these days.
And that's about all I have to say on that topic and I expect to continue to brandish it around to explain away anything :-D
Me, then....
On 7th November 06 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I have set up this site for my friends and family to see how I am getting along with all this surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy stuff.
....and now
...and 7 years on
one happy family of 4 (Daddy is taking the picture)
Burnt-to-a-Crisp Scale
I couldn't go cold turkey from my graphs, so I've devised one to accompany the radiotherapy and record how the "sunburn" goes. The cooking continues for 10-14 days afterwards so I've made the graph nice and long
Poo-o-Meter
Now lets try Taxol..... yellow and black indicates toxic drug days
Pants-o-Gram
So here's how I am feeling on taxotere.
Cack-o-Graph
I have decided to keep a record of how I am feeling over the EC chemo cycles. My score of 10 is the same as my pre-chemo normal energy Dawn day, spot the scientist :)
Not that I am counting, but...
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Photo Gallery
say hello to my cat Hixxy
and Sy.
and the hubby!
This was me pre-diagnosis on my wedding day.
11 comments:
I have exactly the same problem in the supermarket but dont have anything like chemo brain. Of course Earl Grey always wins over Assam but it can take me at least an hour to choose which type of pasta to buy....and then I get chatting with the checkout girl and a whole day has gone.
Cassie x
PS - can I mention the football?
I have exactly the same problem in the supermarket but dont have anything like chemo brain. Of course Earl Grey always wins over Assam but it can take me at least an hour to choose which type of pasta to buy....and then I get chatting with the checkout girl and a whole day has gone.
Cassie x
PS - can I mention the football?
Personally I couldn't decide whether to respond to this or not, so I decided not to. O.K.? Think it must be my age ! Chris and ....er......Angie
I love that image of the windows hour-glass timer over your head! love Sarah M xxx
Looking forward to having a very interesting conversation with you: what with your inability to string words together in the right order, and my tendency to not be able to think of the word I need at all, it could be highly entertaining!
See you soon!
ZS xx
Hiya Dawn,
Here's my advice when you are shopping for biscuits: just always pick Custard Creams. No hesitation or decision making process there!!
;-)
XX Han
PS Can you imagine how much of those I will buy (read: eat) as soon as I am in Wales?
Sounds like a description of me on a normal day! SK
hi dawn,
remember the important stuff like that your friends care about you and think of you often. I will have to pop round for a cup of tea sometime - I guess it will take you a while to drink 220 cups!
love marianne xx
Now chemo brain I can identify with... but fear not, it resolves itself quickly once cemo is done with and the joy of having a normal conversation during which you don't forget several times what the topic/key word/person you're talking to is and which you manage to complete in double quick time is wonderful!! Your hair looks v cute :-) Lots of love Sarah xx
I could write a book about my chemo brain moments :) The amount of times I took the tv remote out instead of my mobile, put boiling water on my weetabix (shouldn't have multitasked and tried to make tea - or was that coffee? - at the same time!). Most scary one - leaving the front door open...all night... in the middle of winter! Durr!
Anyway, it does get better Dawn.
Joxx
ps - I love the egg timer comment - so true!!
Hey Dawn,
I have to say this posting made me lol...i've made it to Sweden by the way..and I am with you in the dithering in supermarket stakes..although my dithering is due to the fact that everything is in Swedish!! it took me 10 mins to buy a pint of milk today..who could've guessed it'd be so complicated..and don't even get me started on looking for some porridge!!
Take care mate
x
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